Labour was plunged into internal conflict last night after a by-election in Greater Manchester opened the door for Andy Burnham to challenge Sir Keir Starmer's leadership. The move follows disgraced former minister Andrew Gwynne's decision to stand down from his Gorton and Denton seat on medical grounds, creating a potential path for the Greater Manchester mayor to return to Parliament.
Mr Burnham, who has served as mayor since 2017 and previously stood for Labour leadership twice, has refused to confirm whether he will stand in the by-election, urging people not to 'rush to conclusions'. However, allies of the Prime Minister have reacted furiously, warning the contest could become a 'circus' and destabilise the government. Some have urged the party to impose an all-women shortlist to block Mr Burnham.
To run, Mr Burnham would need a waiver from Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) to resign as mayor, then pass an NEC interview panel and secure selection by local party members. Even then, he would face a tough by-election fight, with Reform UK and the Greens making the once-safe seat a three-way marginal. Financial markets briefly reacted to fears of a leadership contest dragging Labour further left.
Sir Keir's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, is reportedly considering using the PM's majority on the NEC to block Mr Burnham's candidacy. Union leaders critical of Sir Keir have warned against any 'stitch-up', with Fire Brigades Union chief Steve Wright calling it 'a democratic outrage' if Mr Burnham were blocked.
